TOPEKA — William Robert “Bill” Sloop, Osage City, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at Midland Care Hospice House, Topeka, with family by his side. He was 82.
He was born Dec. 31, 1939, in Lyndon, one of 12 children born to Lyle L. and Berneita Vesta (Fanning) Sloop. He attended Lyndon High School. Following high school, he attended railroad school in Pueblo, Colo., and then began his lifelong career in the railroad industry, retiring from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Nov. 16, 2002, after 43 years of service.
Bill married Joan Black Jan. 27, 1967, in Oskaloosa, and they began their lives together in Nortonville. They eventually settled and raised their children in Osage City. Bill and Joan shared 55 years of marriage.
He enjoyed working for the railroad, water skiing, camping, hunting, fishing, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, and spending time with his family. He always looked forward to annual family reunions and Sloop Christmas celebrations.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Timothy Sloop; four siblings, Rose Ann Sloop, Berneita Jean Burns-Johnson, Don Sloop and Lyle Dean “LD” Sloop; and a daughter-in-law, Pamela Sloop.
He is survived by his wife, Joan, of the home; two children, Robert “Bob” Sloop, Valley Falls, and Lisa Barger (Steve), Burlingame; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and seven siblings, Evelyn Hope-Jones, Topeka, Eula Nitcher (Kenny), Pomona, Norma Miller (Gary), Lecompton, Kathy Tevis (Don), Emporia, Kenneth Sloop (Ann), Topeka, Dale Sloop (Pat), Bel Air, Md., and Arlon Sloop (Frances), Kansas City.
A celebration of life service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Osage County Senior Center, Osage City, with a luncheon to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Osage County Senior Center, 604 Market St., Osage City, KS 66523.
